7. 29%
22%18%
11%
6%
4%
3% 1% 1%
1%
1%
1% 1%
1%
Tank Overflow
Valve Left Open or Closed
Unsecured Transfer Line
Connection Not Secured
Tank Hatch/Cap Unsecured
Well Unloaded
Container Knocked Over
Improper Discharge of Top-Hole
Melted Tank
Overspray
Pit Overflow
Inadequate Secondary
Containment
Line Over Pressurized
Liner Puncture
Human Error – 26%
22. Most common Spill Sub Categories:
1. HDD (inadvertent return) – 17%
2. Line Failure (equipment failure) – 16%
3. Tank Overflow (human error) – 8%
4. Valve left open or closed (human error) – 6%
5. Damaged Equipment (vehicle accident) – 5%
5. Faulty Valve (equipment failure) – 5%
What Can be Learned?
23. Most common Substances Spilled:
1. Brine – 14%
2. Bentonite – 12%
3. Drilling Mud – 11%
4. Crude – 9%
5. Frac Flowback – 8%
What Can be Learned?
25. 1. Drilling deeper on stream bores rather than
the minimum depth.
2. Routine maintenance plans and inspections
for all equipment.
3. Better training of field staff and oversight on
location.
4. Slow down & take your time!
What can be done to reduce spills!
26. Is your spill a reportable spill?
17% of all spills that have been discussed today fall in
the less than 5 gallon range.
25 PA Code §78.66(a) & 25 PA Code §91.33(a) – require
immediate notification of all spills regardless of
quantity that cause or threaten pollution to the waters
of the Commonwealth.
25 PA Code §78.66(b) – requires a reportable release of
brine to be reported within 2 hours.
27. What type of cleanup is required?
Small Spills:
• Less than 42 gallons
• At the well site
• No threat of pollution to
waters of Commonwealth
• Visual cleanup
As per the Draft Spill Policy:
Act 2:
• Any spill may be cleaned up
via the Act 2 process.
Alternative Process:
• Where the Responsible Party
does not elect to utilize the
Act 2 process.
